Scaffold



July 1, 1947. L, AUNE- 2,423,161

` scAFFoLp Y AFiled Javn. 22, 1946 4' sheets-sheet 2 INVENTOR. /6 dune ArraiP/vfns'.

July l, *1947. L. AUNE SCAFFOLD lFiled Jan. 22, 194e 4 sheets-Sheet 4 IN VEN TOR. Ldune Patented `Iuly 1, 1947 UNITED STATES PATENT GFFICE SCAFFOLD Lawrence Aune, Clitherall, Minn.

Application January 22, 1946, Serial No. 642,736

6 Claims. 1

This invention relates to movable scaffolds.

An object of the invention is the provision of a scaffold which is carried by a supporting frame removably attached to an automobile or truck, said scaffold being so hinged on the frame that it may be raised or lowered by a single operator, a platform being slidable on the scaffold and adjustable to various heights along the scaffold, the scaffold resting in a horizontal position on the frame and over the automobile during transportation and so arranged that the vision of the driver will be unobstructed.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a simply constructed and efcient scaffold which may be easily hinged to a frame having removable attachments with an automobile, means being employed for causing the hinged scaffold to be elevated to a vertical position whence said scaffold may be tilted laterally to properly position the operator relative to a particular part of a building or other object so that said operator may work on the part in a more convenient manner.

A further object of the invention is the provision of a scaffold pivotally mounted on a frame which is removably attached to an automobile, said scaffold being supported horizontally on the frame during transportation and movable to a substantially vertical position when a building or other object is reached but also capable of being tilted laterally for positioning the operator conveniently relative to his elevated work, a platform slidable along the erected scaffold and controllable at the will of the operator for elevating the platform to various heights, the elevated scaffold being moved by the automobile into close association with the work.

`With the foregoing and other objects in view which will appear as the description proceeds, the inventionconsists of certain novel details of construction and combinations of parts, hereinafter more fully described and pointed out in the claims, it being understood that changes may be made in the construction and arrangement of parts without departing from the spirit of the invention as claimed.

In the accompanying drawings the preferred form of the invention has been shown.

In said drawings:

Figure 1 is a front view in elevation of a scaffold constructed in accordance with the principles of my invention.

Figure 2 is a side view in elevation of the scaffold shown attached to an automobile.

Figure 3 is an enlarged top plan view of the scaffold and supporting framework.

Figure 4 is an enlarged horizontal section taken along the line 4-4 of Fig. 1.

Figure 5 is a fragmentary vertical section taken along the line 5--5 of Fig. 4.

Figure 6 is a fragmentary side view partially in section showing an elevating means for an end of the scaffold.

Figure 'l is a fragmentary plan view of a double throw switch for controlling a reversing motor.

Referring more particularly to Fig. 2, I0 designates a figure which may be an automobile or a truck to which is applied a framework generally designated by the numeral II. This framework consists of a pair of angle iron posts I2 which are connected together at their lower ends by abase member I3. An angle iron I4 connects the upper ends of the posts together adjacent the front end of the figure. A pair of posts I5 are located at the rear of the vehicle I0 and are connected together at their upper and lower ends by angle irons I6. Longitudinal bars Il are connected to the upper ends of the posts I2 and I5 at each siderof the framework. The longitudinal bars Il are each provided with a plurality of perforations I8.

Brace bars 20 are connected between the side bars V and the posts I2 and iti at tne ends of the'frame. Brace bars 2I are also connected between the upper angle iron I4 and post I2 (Fig. 1) Similar brace bars are connected between the rear posts I5 and the side bars I1.

A crank shaft 22 is mounted in bearings 23 at the front end of the framework II adjacent the base bar I3. These bearings are connected to the posts I2.

The base bars I3 at the front and the bar I6 at the rear of the framework II are secured to the rear and front bumpers respectively of the car or truck, but the framework may be revised if desired for attachment to some other type of vehicle.

The scaffold generally designated by the numeral 25 is adapted to rest upon the upper portion of the framework II during transportation, but is adapted to be elevated to a substantially vertical position when the vehicle has carried the scaffold to a building on which some work is to be done. The main supporting elements of this scaffold consist of pairs of longitudinal angle Virons 26 and 2l at each side edge of the scaffold. These angle irons are spaced apart sufficiently to receive the ends of brace bars 28 which are located at various heights along the angle irons 26 and 2l. The ends of the brace bars are secured to the angle irons in any approved manner.

Pairs of brace bars 29 (Fig. 1) are diagonally disposed relative to each other and have their ends secured to the vertically disposed angle irons 26 and 2l at both the top and bottom of Athe scaffold,

cured to the tops of the spaced longitudinal angle irons 26 and 21.

Lugs 32 are secured to the longitudinal angle irons 26 and 21 and project toward the front part of the frame II. Levers 33 are pivoted at 34 on the top angle iron I4 at the front of the framework II and have their forward ends pivotally connected at 35 with the projecting lugs 32. The rear end of each lever 33 is provided with a nut 86 into which is threaded an upper end 31 of an operating rod 38 which has a crank 39 intermediate its ends. The lower end of each operating rod 3B has a swivel connection with the adjacent post I2 of the framework II. It will be seen by this arrangement that the scaffold 25is hingedly connected with the framework I I andi thatV by revolving either rod 38 a side edge of the scaffold may be raised or lowered since the members 33 are in effect levers.

A pair ofbrace bars 46 are pivotally connected on lugs 4I which are secured to the longitudinal angle irons 26l and 21 adjacent the top of the scaffold (Fig. l). These bars extend rearwardly and are adapted to be connected to the respective side bars I1 of the frame by bolts passing through perforations in a pair of ears 42 on each of the brace bars 46, and through any of the perforations I8 of the frame. There are a number of perforations I8 in each'side bar I1 so that thescaffold may be held in a vertical position (Fig. 2) orit .may be tilted forwardly or rearwardly but maintained in position by the bars 4'0.

A cable. 45 has one end secured to the base bar I3 at each side of the frame IlV and each cable is trained over a pulley 46 secured to a platform 41 at the lower end of the scaffold 25. The other end of each cable is secured to the crank shaft 22 so that when cranks 46 at the ends ofthe shaft-,'22 are operated the scaffold will be rocked on its pivots 35 and either be raised or lowered depending uponthe direction of rotation of the crank. It will be understood, however, vthat'theretaining bars 4I! will have been released `from their connections with the side bars I1 of the framework II.

A platform generally designated by the numeral 50 is slidably mounted on theV scaffold 25. This platform is providedV with a pairof hinged extensions, I which may be moved inwardly as shown in Fig. l and placed,l over the platform 56 during normal operation of said platform. However, when the platform per se is not sufficiently extensive for operation the extensions are moved out to the dotted line position shown in Fig. 1.

Brace bars 52 have one end secured at 53 to the platform 56. The other-ends of these bars are rigidly. attached to the bent ends 54 of a bar 56 (Figs. 4 and 5). It will be noted that there are a pair of bars 56 and 56A which are connected together adjacent the platform 56 by vertically disposed bars 51 and are further connected together by diagonally disposed bars 56 (Fig. l). under face of the platform 56 and also are secured to the bent ends 54 of the `lower bar 56A. A bearing plate 66 isrsecured to the outer bent ends 54 of the bars 56 and 56A (Figse and 5). A second bearing plate 6I is connected to the plate 66 by axles 62 on the opposite'ends of said plates. A roller 63 is mounted yon each axle and its periphery is shaped to conform to the V- shaped groove of the angle irons 21 at each side edge of the scaffold. 1 Y

An axle 65 is carried by the opposite endsjof a Angle irons 59 are secured to the` pair of bearing plates 66 and 61. A roller 68 is mounted on each axle between the bearing plates. The bearing plate 66 at each side edge of the scaffold is secured to the back ends 54 of the bars 56 and 56A. It will be seen by this construction that the platform 50 is not only held in position on a scaffold but it is slidably mounted on said scaffold since the rollers 63 ride the V shaped groove of the angle iron 21 and while the rollers 68 ride in the V-shaped grooves of the angle irons 26.

A cable 10 (Fig. l) is secured to a shaft 1I driven by an electric motor 12 mounted on the platform 41 at the lower end of the scaffold. A worm in a housing 13 is driven by the motor 12 which operates a worm gear in a housng 14 for rotating thershaft 1I.

Thecable 4'Iflnis trained over pulleys 15 and 16 carried by the upper end Yof the scaffold. The cable is then carried downwardly and trained over .pulleysl'l and 18 carried yby the supporting structure of the platform as shown in Fig. 4. The cable is then brought upwardly as shown at 10A and is connected at 19 to a pin 80 carried by the angle irons 36. YIn other words, when the motor 12 is operated in one direction it will move the platform upwardly, but when the motor is oper ated in the reverse direction the platform will be moved downwardly. The motor 12 is of the reversing type.

A vcable is trained over a pulley 86 carried at the upper end of the scaffold 25 and along one vertical edge thereof. Said cable is trained downwardly with one portion passing through the platform .59 shown at 81. The other portion 83 of the cable is rotated outwardly from the inner side edge of the platform. The lower portion of the cable is trained over a pulley 89 carried by the platform 41. This pulley operates a double-throw switch element generally designated by the numeral 90 so that when the pulley is rocked in one direction by the manual reciprocation of the cable 85 the circuit will be closed to the motor and cause the motor to elevate the platform. The motor may be stopped by moving the pulley 89 through a predetermined number of degrees. .When it is desired to lower the platformthe cable 85 is moved further in the direction previously indicated for closing the circuit to the reversing-coil in the motorV 12, whence the platform will be lowered.

While the worm and Vworm gear will maintain thev cable 10 against movement and therefore will maintain the platform 50 in an'elevated position,Y neverthelessl manual means may be employed for holding the platform in its elevated positions.`

Referring more particularlyto Figs. 1 and 2, it will be seen that al plurality of blocks 9I are secured to the underbase of the-platform 50 in spaced relation. These blocks areprovided with passages 92 to receive rods 93 when desired to extend the platform 50 outwardly from the front of the scaffold. Set screws 9:4.securev the rods 93 inv position. Asupplementarynplatform is securedto the rods 93fupon whichthe operator stands when performing some work on a .building or other-object.

The operation of my device is as follows.

When the scaffold'is being transportedfrom one place toAanotherit .will normally Vlie in a horizontal position onthe framework I I, asindicated in the dotted linev position in Fig.V 2.V At this-time-the scaffold-.isA secured Yto the framework in any approved manner. At this time the cable 45 has been released by properly rotating the crank shaft 22 through the cranks 48.

After the vehicle I has been moved to the proper position relative to a building, the cranks 48 are then revolved to cause the outer projecting lowerend at theplatforrn 4l to be drawn downwardly and towards the post I2 at the front of theframe l I, as shown in Fig. 2. The scaffold at this time swings on the pivots 35. When the scaffold has been elevated to the proper position the lower ends of the retaining bars 40 are connected to the side bars Il of the frame I I by bolts inserted through passages in the lower ends of the retaining bars and the perforations I8.

'Ihere may be times when it is necessary to tilt the scaffold 25 towards a building, or tilt it away from the building. In either event the crank shaft is properly Voperated and the retaining bars are adjusted for the changed position of the scaffold.

There may be times when it is necessary to tilt the scaffold 25 laterally and this is done by rotating an operating bar 38 which will either raise or lower the side edge of the scaffold 25. Rotation of either rod 3B will oscillate the associated lever 33 for raising or lowering the adjacent side of the scaffold.

It will be appreciated that the construction is such that the scaifold may be raised or lowered by a single operator. to cause the platform 55 to be elevated or lowered when he is on the platform by properly adjusting the cable 85.

The length of the scafford of course Will depend on the weight of the vehicle to which it is applied. However, two vehicles may be equipped with this scaffold and when these vehicles are placed in position so that they will face each other a platform may be connected between the two scaffolds for the convenience of one o-r more workmen.

A chain |95 is connected to the bar 55 at each side of the scaffold and has an end attached to an eye il carried by the outer free end of each extension 5| in order to provide suicient support for a workman when moving beyond the platform 50.

A collar 102 is received by the cable 85 and a set screw m3 is employed for securing the collar in an adjusted position on the cable 85 so that when the motor 'l2 moves the platform 55 upwardly said platform will engage the stop or sleeve E82 so that the cable will be trained slightly by the platform and move the switch 95 to open position to stop the motor. A similar arrangement including a collar IM and a set screw |05 is mounted on the cable 85 below the platform 5U. These collars or stops are adjusted along the cable so that when the platform 55 comes into contact with either stop, the cable 85 will be operated to open the switch 9U. This is particularly useful in providing a safety device for workmen.

What is claimed is:

l. A supporting structure for a workman comprising a frame detachably connected to an automobile, -a scaffold mounted horizontally on said frame, parallel longitudinally disposed bars pivotally mounted intermediate the ends thereof on one end of the frame, means pivotally connecting a pair of the ends of the bars with an intermediate portion of the scaffold, at respective sides of the scaffold means causing the scaffold to be swung to a vertical position, nuts iixedly secured to the other ends of the bars, a pair of operating The operator will be able 6 rodseach swivelly connected at one end to the frame, the other ends being threadedly engaged by said nuts, and a crank on each rod.

2. A supporting structure for a workman comprising a frame detachably connected to an automobile, a scaffold mounted horizontally on said frame, parallel bars each pivotally mounted intermediate the ends thereof on one end of the frame, said bars being disposed longitudinally of the frame, one end of each bar being pivotally connected to one of the sides of the scaffold intermediate the ends of the scaffold, means causing the scaffold to be swung to a vertical position, means connected between the frame and the scaffold for retaining the scaffold elevated, and operating means connected to the other end of each bar for pivoting the bar on its connection to the frame.

3. A supporting structure for a workman comprising a frame detachably connected to an automobile, a scaffold mounted horizontally on said frame, longitudinal bars pivoted intermediate the ends thereof on one end of the frame, a pair of the adjacent ends of the bars having pivotal connections with the scaffold, operative means connected with the other end of each bar for raising either side of the scaffold for tilting said scaffold laterally in front of the frame, means causing the scaffold to be swung to a vertical position, a platform mounted for vertical movement on the scaffold to carry a workman, and means under the control of the workman for raising or lowering the platform.

4. A supporting structure for a workman comprising a frame, a scaffold mounted horizontally on said frame, longitudinal bars pivoted intermediate the ends thereof on one end of the frame, a pair of spaced lugs secured to the scaffold and projecting inwardly towards the ends of the bars, each lug having pivotal connections with an adjacent end of a bar, operative means Connected with the other end of each bar for raising either side of the scaffold for tilting said scaffold laterally in front of the frame, means causing the scaffold to be swung to a vertical position, a platform mounted for vertical movement on the scaffold to carry a workman, and means under the control of the workman for raising or lowering the platform.

5. A supporting structure for a workman comprising a frame detachably connected to an automobile, a scaffold mounted horizontally on said frame, longitudinal bars pivoted intermediate the ends thereof on one end of the frame, a pair of the adjacent ends of the bars having pivotal connections with the scaffold, means causing oscillation of either bar for raising either side of the scaffold for tilting said scaffold laterally in front of the frame, means causing the scaffold to be swung to a vertical position, a platform mounted for vertical movement on the scaffold to carry a workman, and means under the control of the workman for raising or lowering the platform.

6. In a scaffold, opposed pairs of angle irons at each vertical edge thereof forming the main sustaining elements of the scaffold, each pair being connected in parallel relation, and having its pair of V-shaped grooves disposed interiorly of the vertical edge of the scaffold, a platform slidably mounted for vertical movement on the scaffold, said platform being spaced away from the side of the scaffold, brace bars each connected at one end to the platform, roller-supporting bars Vextending between the pairs of angle irons, the other ends of the brace bars being 7 connected thereto, the roller-supporting bars havingth'eir Vrespective ends turned 'to' embrace the pairs -of angle irons, and pairs of. rollers mounted on said .embracing ends, the rollers having their peripher-es seated -wthin the V-shaped grooves 4in the `angle irons.

LAWRENCE AUNE.

REFERENCES CET-ED `The following references `are of record in the 111e of this patent:

Number Number France Sept. 26, 1932 

